Va. experiences statewide computer problems

A computer snag is causing problems today at 24 state agencies, including the departments of motor vehicles, transportation, taxation, social services, emergency management and alcoholic beverage control, as well as at the Virginia Employment Commission.

Chief Information Officer Sam Nixon said the problems began when hardware failed on one of the disk sub-systems in the state's data center late Wednesday.

"Our priority is to restore service to citizen-facing systems ASAP,'' Nixon said. Virginia Information Technologies Agency, Northrop Grumman and "our vendors have been working non-stop since yesterday afternoon to resolve the issue. Some agencies' operations have been restored but others will continue to experience down time until things are stabilized."

Nixon said the impact varies significantly from agency to agency. For example, the DMV is unable to issue driver licenses at its 74 offices but other transactions continue, including online renewals. Communications and e-mail systems are working.

Nixon said he does not have an estimate for when the problems will be fixed.

This is cruddy. I need to renew my drivers license which expires 8-28, DMV told me they could not do anything. They added, that if the system was not operational by 8-28, then I would not be able to drive. Unbelievable, I cannot drive because DMV, and Northrop cannot handle their business! Wuzup Commonwealth?

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